pratt



E. L. PRATT.

Tobacco Cutter.

No. 65,006. Patented May 2 1867.

N. PETERS. FHOTO-UTHOGHAFHER, WASWNGTON D C gutter gtstrs item: @ffine.

MACHINE FOR OUTTIN G TOBAGGO.

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TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Be it known that I, E. L. PRATT, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk, and State of Massachusetts have invented an improved Machine for Cutting Tobacco; and I do hereby declare that the following, taken in connection with the drawings which accompany and form part of this specification, is a description of my invention sufficient to enable those skilled in the art to practise it. I

A convenient and reliable mechanism for cutting tobacco into thin strips, sheets, or flakes has long been wanted, both by users of the weed and by dealers in it, and the primary object of my invention has been to produce a strong, simple, and reliable mechanism for effecting this purpose. The kind of tobacco for which such a machine is most needed is what is known as Cavendish, consisting of flat cakes, made from leaf solidified by great pressure. I

v In the construction of my machine I combine with a stationary cutting edge, placed in front of a suitable frame and with an adjustable bed or gaugeplate, arranged against, or extendingup to, said cutting edgepa swinging holder, hung upon the frame, and provided with a lever handle, this holder forcing the tobacco against the cutter by pressing upon its lever, while, by raising the lever, the tobacco is again brought over the gaugeplate, and drops down upon its surface, thereby bringing it into position for a fresh movement against the cutter. ,It is in such a construction and arrangement, or organization of mechanism, that my invention consists.

The drawing represents, partly in section and partlyin elevation, zi. cutting apparatus embodying the invention.

a denotes a stationary frame or bed-plate, having at one end two uprights b, in which are bearings c, for journal-pins d, of a swing-carrier e, from which projects a long handle or lever, e. Fastened to the uprights, and extending across from oneto the other, is a stationary knife or cuttcr,f, over the cutting edge of which the lower-surface of the holder 0 rocks. This holder has a cell or chamber, g, the rear and end walls of which may form integral parts of the holder, while the front wall it may be made removable. sliding in grooves 2', by means of which the chamber may be enlarged or contracted in accordance with the thickness of the cake of tobacco. In this cell or chamber the tobacco is placed loosely, or so as to fall to the bottom by the action of gravity, and beneath the holder, and so as to form alternately with the upper surface of the cutter a floor for the chamber, is the gauge-plate Z." This plate is hinged at its rear end to the bed a; and near its front end it'has an adjusting-screw, k, by which the position of its front edge with reference to the cutting edge of the knife may be adjusted as to height, the edge of the plate lforming a gauge to determine the thickness of the strip or shaving cut from the tobacco, while the surface just in rear of such edge forms a supporter rest for the bottom edge of the cake of tobacco, as will be readily understood. By setting the gauge higher or lower the flake or shaving may be made very thin, or of considerable thickness, as may be desirable. V

The machine is operated as follows: The piece of tobacco to be cut is dropped into the chamber, its weight carrying it down against the upper surface of the knife, (if the handle e is down.) The lever being then raised, the bottom of the holder swings back, and the tobacco drops down against the gauge-plate. The lever is then depressed, carrying the tobacco against the cutting edge, and shaving off a flake or thin strip therefrom; and this operation is repeated until the tobacco, or any required part thereof, is reduced to shavings.

The mechanism has thus far been described as a tobacco-cutter; but it will be obvious that, by mere modifications, a similar instrument may be adapted to cutting vegetables, bread, and other matters to be finely divided into slices. It will also be obvious'that the .position of the parts may be somewhat varied, as, for

instance, the knife might 'be made adjustable, and the gauge-plate stationary; but I prefer the arrangement shown, as it combines cheapness and simplicity of construction and elfectiveness of operation.

I claim the swinging carrier, the cutter, and the gauge-plate, when arranged to operatetogether, substantially as shown and described.

' E. L. PRATT.

Witnesses:

FRANCIS. GOULD, L. H. LATIMnn'. 

